Myths that prove... it's all the same

December 28th?!?!

Seriously!?!?

How did that all happen?

I'm tempted to write a long drawn out post about what I did and didn't do, the goals I reached and the ones I'm still working on, what I have planned for the next 12 months and beyond...

Nothing like the fast approach of the last line of the last page of a calender to make one feel the pressure to take stock, reflect, plan, dream, etc... The joy of a blank slate ahead of me to create the future I'm meant to live and to tell the world exactly how I'm going to do it.

But I'm not going to.

I'm also feeling the nigglings in my brain to write a definiatve tome of how to truly succeed in reaching your goals of a healthy weight and lifestyle that supports it forever and ever, Amen.

But I won't.

Why? Honestly, I'm tired.

I'm struggling with the perfectionist bug that says if it's worth writing, it's worth writing A LOT.

Reality is, I don't have that kind of time, all the time.

Instead, I'm working to embrace the musings that flutter my way - they don't have to be fully formed, in-depth dissertations. They can be poignent drive by's that leave food for thought. Sowing seeds ala Johnny to bloom where they are planted and all that fun stuff.

And sometimes other people say things a whole lot better than I can.

So today I leave you with the wonderful words of Mary Hunt, one of the people I've chosen as my go to person for all things relating to managing money (Yes, I know Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman and many others are awesome... Mary's still my first love. :). As it turns out, the rules that apply to that are pretty durn close to managing life and anything else you want to improve - in this case your health/weight.

I've added a few of my own thoughts in [brackets]in case you're not able to make the leap. I'm leaving in some of them that *I* had trouble making the leap- feel free to add your take on it in the comments section.

8 Money Myths that Mess Up Your Life 12/20/2010
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Whether you are slightly uncomfortable with your financial [health/weight] situation, up to your eyeballs in money troubles [out of control eating/weight gain/health crisis'], or some place between, the problem might be what you believe about money, credit and debt. It’s almost a new year—a new decade—and I can’t think of a better time to dump your money [health/food/weight] myths and replace them with a nice, big dose of reality.

1 MYTH: If I just had more money [lost this weight], all of my problems would go away.

REALITY: Until you learn how to take care of the money you have already, more money will never be enough.

[Unless you learn how to take care of and _love_ the body you have, get a grip on your current relationship with food, take charge of your health, it won't matter your size, it will never be enough. This sums it up beautifully.]

2 MYTH: I can have it all. I work hard, make a decent living and I deserve to have nice things [have worked out, have been "good", I deserve to eat what I want].

REALITY: You cannot have it all. But you can have enough.

[Really? How has eating what you want worked for you? Ok, that was snarky, sorry... you get the idea, though... Moderation. Learn what is enough for you.]

3 MYTH: Buying things on sale is a great way to save money.

REALITY: Buying things on sale is a way to spend less money (unless you buy twice as much because it’s on sale), but unless you stop at the bank on the way home and deposit the difference between the regular price and the sale price you’re not saving at all—you’re only spending.

[Yeah... I got nothin. ;) ]

4 MYTH: Buying things on credit is a smart financial strategy because you are using someone else's money.

REALITY: Buying on credit isn’t a matter of using others’ money, it is a very expensive rental agreement.

5 MYTH: If I don’t buy things on credit I’ll never have anything!

REALITY: If you don’t buy things on credit you won’t have something, all right, you won’t have debt! If you want something badly enough, save for it first. Then buy it. It is a brilliant concept.

[Here's my take on 4 & 5 - we often eat/blow off exercise, thinking we'll make up for it later and usually don't. The reality is taking the moderate road, creating a healthy, active lifestyle that support the energetic, thinner, healthier you is the best approach, and 'budget' for times of celebration, vacations, holidays, etc. At times you can 'burn it to earn it', but when you don't, don't beat yourself up. Just get back to your habits and the rest will follow.]

6 MYTH: These days it takes two incomes to keep up financially.

REALITY: It is quite possible to live well on a single income provided you are willing to learn how to stretch it twice as far.

[Living well requires you to stretch beyond the person you are right now, and find new, creative ways to deal with things. ]

7 MYTH: If things get too bad, I can always file for bankruptcy and get a fresh start. [Get surgery/take a pill/get lipo/etc.]

REALITY: Bankruptcy is a very serious matter, not an easy way out. It will impact your life negatively for a very long time. Bankruptcy does not represent a clean slate but rather a 10-year sentence.

[This is a touchy one. Many people have gotten weight loss surgeries, or worked with their doctors to get medication that helps them lose weight. Many of those people have had great success! I'm all for medication - getting my thyroid and adrenals balanced through medication and supplements have had a huge, positive impact on my health and weight. But it all comes with a cost, and it's never an easy way out. Those that have been through it will be the first to tell you the hard work they put into it. The point is, it's hard work regardless the route. some of it's physical, a lot of it's mental. But you do have it in you, it's up to you to discover that strength and use it to your advantage.]

8 MYTH: I am a loser and a failure because I am in such terrible financial [health/weight] trouble. My situation is completely hopeless.

REALITY: No situation is completely hopeless. There is a way out. If you will supply the commitment and determination, I’ll promise to provide you the inspiration, motivation and information you need to take back control of your finances [health] and turn your money [weight]life around!

[Nuff said!]

Orignal can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/2b3pxrj

Like I said above, please feel free to add your health/weight related take on some of these in the comments section. Also feel free to add your own myths and realities, as well.